How Do You Spell ILL?

Pronunciation: [ˈɪl] (IPA)

The word "ill" is an adjective in English that means unhealthy or unwell. It is pronounced /ɪl/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The letter "i" in "ill" is pronounced as the short "i" sound /ɪ/, while the double "l" is pronounced as a single consonant sound /l/. The spelling of "ill" is often mixed up with "eel," which is pronounced with a long "e" sound /i:/ and means a type of fish. It's important to use the correct spelling to avoid confusion in written and spoken communication.

Meaning and Definition
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Etymology
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ILL Meaning and Definition

  1. Ill is an adjective that is used to describe someone in a state of poor health or suffering from a disease, illness, or injury. It refers to the general condition of being unwell or experiencing physical or mental discomfort. When a person is ill, they may exhibit symptoms such as pain, weakness, fatigue, nausea, or fever.

    Ill can also be used to describe something that is harmful, negative, or unfavorable. In this sense, it implies that something is detrimental, not functioning properly, or of poor quality. For example, an ill effect refers to a negative consequence or an adverse outcome resulting from a particular action or event.

    In addition to its use as an adjective, ill can also function as an adverb, meaning "badly" or "poorly." When used this way, it implies that an action or task is not performed well or up to the expected standard.

    Further, the term ill is occasionally employed in a metaphorical sense to describe a person's mental or emotional state. For instance, someone might say they feel ill to express their distress, unease, or dissatisfaction.

    Overall, whether in reference to physical health, negative consequences, poor quality, inadequate performance, or emotional state, ill is a versatile term that conveys a concept of being unwell, negative, or unfavorable.

  2. Sick, unwell.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • Evil; misfortune; wickedness.
    • Bad; evil; contrary to good; unfortunate; unfavourable; sick; unwell; cross; surly.
    • As the first element of a compound, signifying "a negation" or "some bad quality connected with it"; not well; badly.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ILL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ILL

Etymology of ILL

The word "ill" originates from Middle English "īle" or "ȳle", which is derived from Old English "īll" or "ȳfel". These Old English forms are related to Old High German "ūbil", Dutch "iil", and German "übel", all of which mean "evil" or "bad". As time passed, the word "ill" expanded in meaning to refer to the state of being unhealthy or unwell.

Idioms with the word ILL

  • speak ill of The idiom "speak ill of" means to say negative or derogatory things about someone or something. It refers to criticizing or expressing negativity or slanderous remarks towards someone's character, reputation, or actions.
  • speak ill of sm The idiom "speak ill of someone" means to say negative or disparaging things about someone, often in a malicious or unkind manner. It refers to expressing unfavorable opinions or casting aspersions on another person.
  • ill will The idiom "ill will" refers to a feeling or expression of hostility, resentment, or antagonism towards someone. It signifies negative intentions or a desire to harm or sabotage another person.
  • take ill The idiom "take ill" refers to the act of becoming sick or experiencing a sudden decline in health. It typically implies the onset of an illness or physical discomfort.
  • wish (one) ill The idiom "wish (one) ill" refers to the act of wanting or desiring harm, misfortune, or unfavorable circumstances to befall someone. It indicates an unfavorable sentiment or ill will towards someone, expressing a desire for their suffering or failure.
  • augur ill (or well) The idiom "augur ill (or well)" refers to the prediction or foreshadowing of a future outcome, either negative or positive. It is commonly used to express an expectation or belief about the potential outcome of a situation or event.
  • bode ill for (someone or something) The idiom "bode ill for (someone or something)" means to indicate or portend bad or unfavorable circumstances or outcomes for a person or thing in the future. It suggests that there are signs or omens that predict negative consequences or events ahead.
  • ill health The idiom "ill health" refers to a state or condition of being physically or mentally unwell or in poor health. It commonly implies various illnesses, diseases, or ailments that affect one's overall well-being and functioning.
  • it's an ill wind that blows no good The idiom "it's an ill wind that blows no good" means that even in a negative or unfortunate situation, there may be a potential benefit or advantage that arises from it. It suggests that something beneficial or advantageous can be found in any adversity or misfortune.
  • be ill at ease The idiom "be ill at ease" means to feel uncomfortable, uneasy, or anxious in a particular situation or environment. It describes a state of unease or discomfort that someone experiences, often due to unfamiliarity, tension, or uncertainty.
  • can ill afford, at cannot afford The idiom "can ill afford" or "cannot afford" means lacking the financial means or resources to do something or bear the cost of something. It implies that engaging in a particular action or expenditure would be detrimental or excessively burdensome to a person's or organization's financial situation.
  • ill wind that blows no one any good, it's an The idiom "ill wind that blows no one any good" means that even a misfortunate or negative event can sometimes bring benefits or advantages to someone. In other words, even a "bad" situation can have a positive outcome for someone involved.
  • ill feeling The idiom "ill feeling" refers to a negative emotion or resentment between people, resulting from a disagreement, conflict, or some form of animosity or disapproval. It represents a sense of hostility or dislike that exists in a relationship or situation.
  • for good or ill The idiom "for good or ill" means regardless of whether the outcome is positive or negative. It implies that something will occur or has occurred with both beneficial and detrimental consequences.
  • it’s an ill wind (that blows nobody any good) The idiom "it's an ill wind (that blows nobody any good)" means that even in a negative situation or event, there can still be some positive outcome or benefit for someone. It implies that seemingly unfortunate or adverse circumstances can sometimes lead to advantageous or favorable consequences for certain individuals.
  • bode well/ill The idiom "bode well/ill" means to indicate a prediction or expectation of a positive or negative outcome in the future.
  • It's an ill wind The idiom "It's an ill wind" means that even in a negative or unfavorable situation, there may still be some positive or beneficial aspects or consequences. It suggests that one should look for the silver lining or make the best out of a bad situation.
  • fall ill The idiom "fall ill" is used to describe someone becoming sick or unwell, often suddenly or unexpectedly. It implies a decline in health or the onset of an illness or disease.
  • It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest. The idiom "It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest" is a proverbial expression used to convey the idea that a person who harms or causes damage to their own family, friends, or community is behaving foolishly or selfishly. It emphasizes the significance of taking care of and preserving one's own environment or relationships.
  • woman of ill repute The idiom "woman of ill repute" refers to a woman who is considered disreputable or immoral in the eyes of society. It suggests that the woman has engaged in promiscuous behavior or is involved in activities that are generally viewed as morally or socially unacceptable.
  • ill at ease The idiom "ill at ease" refers to a state of discomfort, uneasiness, or awkwardness experienced by a person in a particular situation or environment. It signifies that someone is not fully comfortable or relaxed, often due to anxiety, nervousness, or unease.
  • house of ill repute The idiom "house of ill repute" refers to a location, typically a brothel or establishment involved in illegal activities, known for engaging in immoral or questionable behavior. It implies a place that is disreputable, notorious, or morally corrupt.
  • be taken ill The idiom "be taken ill" means to become sick or fall ill suddenly or unexpectedly. It implies the onset of an illness or medical condition that causes a person to feel unwell or suffer from poor health.
  • bode ill (or well) The idiom "bode ill (or well)" means to be a sign or indication of something negative (or positive) that is likely to happen in the future. It expresses the belief or prediction that certain circumstances or events are foreshadowing a negative or positive outcome.
  • house of ill fame The idiom "house of ill fame" typically refers to a brothel or a place involved in immoral or illicit activities, such as prostitution. It indicates a location where illegal or disreputable activities occur, often implying a lack of respectability or propriety.
  • It's an ill wind that blows nobody good The idiom "It's an ill wind that blows nobody good" means that even in difficult or unfavorable situations, there can still be some benefit or advantage for someone. It implies that every circumstance, no matter how bad, can bring some sort of advantage to someone, even if it doesn't benefit everyone.
  • speak/think ill of somebody The idiom "speak/think ill of somebody" means to express or hold negative opinions or judgments about someone, often by criticizing, belittling, or unfairly talking about their character, actions, or reputation.
  • it's an ill wind (that blows nobody any good) The idiom "it's an ill wind (that blows nobody any good)" means that even in negative or unfortunate situations, there can still be some benefits or advantages for certain individuals. It suggests that there is often a silver lining or a positive aspect to every unfortunate event or circumstance.
  • It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes. The idiom "It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes" means that it is futile or unproductive to wait for someone to die in order to have an opportunity or achieve a certain position or role. It implies that it is better to focus on making one's own opportunities rather than relying on others to vacate a position.
  • Never speak ill of the dead The idiom "Never speak ill of the dead" means that it is considered inappropriate or disrespectful to say negative things about someone who has passed away, even if those things may have been true or relevant when the person was alive. It suggests that it is better to remember and honor the deceased person in a positive light.
  • bode well/ill (for somebody/something) The idiom "bode well/ill (for somebody/something)" means to suggest a good or bad future outcome for a person or situation. It implies that certain signs or indications are indicating a positive or negative future result.
  • ill-gotten gains Ill-gotten gains refer to money or assets that have been acquired through dishonest or unethical means, such as theft, fraud, or corruption.
  • ill-disposed to doing something "Ill-disposed to doing something" means unwilling or not inclined to do something. It describes a lack of motivation or desire to carry out a particular task or activity.
  • ill-disposed to doing Ill-disposed to doing something means to be unwilling, unenthusiastic, or not inclined towards doing it.
  • bad/ill feeling A negative or unpleasant emotion or tension between people, typically arising from a disagreement, conflict, or misunderstanding.

Similar spelling words for ILL

Plural form of ILL is ILLS

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